The Forgotten Forest

Chapter Nine- Second Meaning

Mikes POV

I walked around the neighborhood, trying to stall from going to Kira's. From the first time I saw her, she seemed so familiar, like I've seen her before. I knew something was important about her, but I didn't know yet. Hopefully I would find out. I knew where Kira lived since the house that has been up for sale for years was finally sold a couple months ago. I finally walked up to the door and knocked. I heard some commotion behind the door, and Kira finally opened it. She looked tired, but when she saw me, she gave a small smile.

"Hey, Mike. Come on in." She opened the door and I stepped in. I decided to start up a conversation with her. Kira acted like she didn't like me, but deep down I knew she appreciated me as a friend.

"So," I said, rubbing my hands together, "what are we going to do?" Kira rolled her eyes, acting as if I asked the stupidest question ever asked. "We're researching the Titanic for school? It was the reason why I invited you over!"

I chuckled, knowing she was overreacting for nothing. "Yeah, I know. I was asking what are we going to research or do first?"

"Oh, well I don't know," Kira pulled out our papers from her book bag. She said she wanted the papers since she thought I would lose them. It was a smart choice by her. I don't know where my stuff from last school year went. Wait, actually, I burned them. I threw them in a fire and watched them burn. Yep, those were the good times.

We researched for an hour, and had an entire paper filled out. It seemed like more than enough.

"Okay, I think we're done here," Kira let out a huge breath and I nodded. She was about to say something else when her parents turned on the vacuum. I hated vacuums, and asked Kira if there was a quieter place to talk. She nodded happily and motioned to follow her.

"Mom!" Kira screamed, "Mike and I are going out back!"

The vacuum stopped briefly and her mom shouted back, "Okay, Kira, be careful!" The vacuum then started back up.

Kira ran outside and into the woods. I was grateful that she took me away from the noise, but she was walking in the woods. Did she know the story behind these woods? I was about to ask her when she called back to me, "Here we are!"

We were in a clearing. A large clearing, with a small stream running by the side. The trees seemed to circle the clearing, not daring to come passed an invisible border. Only one tree was inside the circle, sitting in the direct middle. It seemed familiar, maybe I had stumbled across it before.

"Do you like it? I was walking in the forest one day, and I just came across it. It's weird, actually. Every time I come out here, I don't need to think about where I'm going. I just walk, and eventually find it. You are the third person besides Lucy and I to come here. This is a place where I feel like I'm in place," she laughed quietly, "Sorry, that sounded really dumb,"

Even though that was the most I've ever heard her talk at once, I didn't answer. I just realized what this place was, and never once have I stumbled across it.

"Umm, I have to go home now," I mumbled to Kira. Her expression became confused, and even though I bet she had a million questions, she didn't ask anything.

"Alright, follow me," She said, looking over her shoulder. "My mom can drive you home,"

I nodded, needing to get home as soon as possible. We ran through the forest, and when we reached the house, I went straight to their car. It took a minute before Kira and her mom came out and jumped in after me. Kira looked at me with concern, but I ignored it and told them my address.

Even though the whole way we were just under the speed limit, I willed for Kira's mom to go faster.

As we pulled into the driveway, Kira and her mom hopped out with me, saying something like they wanted to meet my parents. That snapped me out of my daze, and before I could say no thanks, Kira's mom was already ringing the doorbell. I took a minute before my mom finally opened the door.

"Hello there!" My mom said, and looked up to Kira's mom, Mrs. Emily.

Mrs. Emily had her mouth hanging open, and my mom was as pale as snow.

"Kathryn?" Mrs. Emily whispered, clearly in shock. Wait, they knew each other? This couldn't be good.

My mom was the first one to snap out of it, and smiled coldly at Mrs. Emily.

"Thank you for bringing Mike home. It means a lot to us,"

Mrs. Emily looked outraged. I knew there was a second meaning to that. Kira was standing slightly behind her mom trying not to be noticed, but had the same confused expression on her face as me, if not more confused.

My mom took one glance at Kira, full of hatred, before pulling me inside. I barely hear Kira call out bye when my mom slammed the door in their face. She turned to me, shaking from anger. She was about to say something, most likely not good, but I cut her off.

"Kira, Mrs. Emily's daughter, found the entrance to the forgotten forest,"

With that, my mom's faced changed from anger to shock. She slumped down in the chair, looking at the floor, and whispered loud enough for me to hear, "Mike, Kira is not Emily's daughter,"

"But what-" I was about to protest when it all fell into place. "No, Kira couldn't..." I trailed off, hoping it wasn't true, but deep down, I knew.

My mom nodded. "Kira is actually Alec and Bridget's daughter,"

I stood shocked. Kira was daughter of my mom's long lost friend and that means...

"Kira belongs to the forgotten forest,"

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Hey guys!

Sorry if this was shorter than usual. Mike's perspectives (which won't come up that often) will be shorter than usual.

I would have it longer for you, but my internet is not working very well and it deleted part of the chapter. It's so frustrating! Oh well, I hope you enjoyed it!

Sooo, finally a little introduction to the forgotten forest! Do you guys like it?

I'm thinking about starting a new book, but since I don't update that much on this one and don't have that much time on my hands, I'm not sure if I should. Please also let me know what you think about that.

Next chapter will be back in Kira's POV. Please Comment and Vote! I would really like to know what you think of the book. Really. It means a lot.

There was a bit of confusion with the chapters being out of order, but I fixed that!

Have a great week!

~~~20jkelly :-)